And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Christ rewards Peter's confession by explaining the name He had given him: Peter is a living stone in God's temple, distinguished by the measure of Christ's gift. All believers are living stones, united by faith into one spiritual building where God dwells; Peter among them has preeminent place, as each receives according to his order.
AI summary
Christ asked not what the hostile scribes and Pharisees said of Him, but what common people believed. When ministers lose their public pulpit, they must labor harder in private conversation with their own household, for every season of diminished public work is opportunity for deeper family instruction.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 16:13-20
The keys are abilities to explain Gospel truths and a commission to use them; Peter first opened that door to Jews and Gentiles alike. But these keys belonged to all the apostles equally, for all received the power to bind and loose. Christ keeps the true key of David in His own hand; no man rules the Church but Him alone.
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